TODAY -

Water scarcity in Manipur

P Jadumani Singh *

 Water scarcity in Imphal City as on 30 April  2014
Water scarcity in Imphal City as on 30 April 2014 :: Pix - Shanker Khangembam



Water for drinking and cooking, water for washing clothes and utensils, water for spraying the plants , water for taking bath etc are all in scarcity in Manipur during the beginning of every summer. It is almost an annual phenomenon that we have been facing this water scarcity due to reckless management of the government on the stock and demand policy.

Water sources in Manipur are ponds, rivers, lakes, underground pumps etc. As population increases, the demand for water increases. So there is imbalance between availability and demand. Manipur government, in fact, has no long term plans for keeping sufficient stock availability of water by taking up different steps in the absence of big rivers in the state.

The climate of Manipur is healthgiving with average annual rainfall ranging from 995 mm in Imphal valley to 2590 mm in Tamenglong district. During the tenure of Sri W. Nipamacha Singh as Chief Minister of Manipur, many community ponds of sizeable perimeters, each to cover the population of some ¾ localities were constructed to harvest the rain water to cope up the contingent needs of the surrounding areas. Since the constructions of the ponds were in the contractual system, which everybody knows about in Manipur, quality control was not maintained.

The dug up soils were used in the making of the boundary banks of the ponds and required depths were not adhered to. Till today no renovation works are seen taken up, especially in the depth which is very important to hold more volume of water for longer period use and to sustain the availability of water from drying up.

The causes of water scarcity are that there is not enough water for the use of the local population. The lakes are silting day by day along with narrowing wides due to encroachment. The rivers are narrowing due to deposits of carried over soils on either sides.Manipur has an area of 22,327 sq.km. and is situated between the latitudes of 23.80 degree N and 25.68 degree N and longitudes of 93.3 degree E and 94.78 degree E. This cup- shaped land is having series of hill ranges.

The plants and trees in the hilly forests which will conserve water during rainy season are burnt down by the villagers for their jhum cultivation, which will not bring them sufficient income as far as ecolozy and environmental aspect are concerned. Felling of trees for commercial purposes is being carried out by the hill people. The forest area of 17,418 sq. Km. which can conserve water during rainy season can play very important role in minimising the problem of water scarcity in Manipur.

But day by day maximum areas of the state forest have become barren due to wild burning and random felling of trees. Manipur experiences three seasons of summer, winter and monsoon with the minimum and maximum temperstures of 0 degree centrigrade and 35 degree centigrade respectively. Every year monsoon reaches Manipur from the first week of June to continue upto the end of September. The scarcity period of water is three months from March to June.Rivers, ponds, lakes etc are dried up during this period and there is no rainfall also in the state.

More than three-fourths of the earth’ surface is covered with water, out of which 97% are salty and 3% as fresh water. 70% of the fresh water are found in the form of ice caps and glaciers and the remaining are available in lakes, rivers, ponds and in the ground while a small amount of it as vapours in the atmosphere. Water in the oceans and fresh water bodies are warmed and evaporated by the heat of the sun. As a result, water goes into the atmosphere as vapours, leaving behind the impurities contained in it.

Another aspect of water becoming vapours is through transpiration. In this process, plants absorb water from the soil and then water moves through the stems from the roots to the leaves. Once the water reaches the leaves, some of it evaporates from the leaves, adding to the amount of water vapours coming from the oceans, ponds, rivers, lakes etc.

When the water vapour reaches in the sky, its temperature decreases and condenses forming waterdroplets. The droplets of suspended water form clouds in the sky or fog near the earth’s surface. Due to low temperature and atmospheric pressure, the small droplets of water in the clouds form larger droplets and precipitation occurs. The raindrops fall to the earth. In short, through the processof evaporation and transpiration, water moves into the sky.

Water vapours then join with the dust particles to form clouds in the sky.Eventually, water returns to the earth as precipitation in the form of rain, snow, hails etc.Since clouds contain water, we will not see any cloud in the desert, because there is very little water there to evaporate and form clouds. Coastal regions receive more water because of moisturisation from the surrounding waters. Cloud sizes depend on the heat of the sun, mountaineous ranges of forests, water bodies, global warming etc.

Remedial measures:

1. Since water has become scarce, rainwater can be harvested and stored for use during the scarcity period of March to May every year. Water harvesting is the direct collection of rainwater. The rainwater collected, which is the primary source of water, can be directly used or used in the future and can be recharged into the groundwater. Rivers, lakes, ponds and groundwater are all secondary sources of water.

But in Manipur,we entirely depend on lakes, rivers, ponds. Rainwater harvesting can be taken up through runoff water from the rooftops, floodwaters from the streams/rivulets, watershed management etc. Water harvesting will give us water for drinking, washing, irrigation, groundwater recharging etc and reduce the urban/rural floods. Since surface and ground water resources are fast exhausted than they can be recharged, rainwater harvesting, which can be taken up individually, is an alternative arrangement to cope the water scarcity in Manipur.

2. Since the local community ponds are silted and narrow in length and breadth, they are required to be renovated to maintain deep depth and big perimeter to hold big volume of water, which will be used during the lean period of March to May. The government water supply and homestead ponds should be used during other times. This arrangement is required in Manipur since every year water scarcity is prevalent.

3. The Loktak Development Authority should ensure that the silting process in the lake is prevented by dredging out the solid materials like plant wastes, muds etc along with widening of the lengh and breadth and also take up the forestry work along the perimeter.

4. The lakes like Khoidumpat, Kharungpat, sanapat etcare dried up during the during the period od water scarcity. Government should take up the work of deepening the depth of the lakes to hold more water during the lean period to supply more water to the surrounding villages.

5. The government has taken up the work of narrowing up the Leishang Hiden which is is a historical lake/fort for broadening of the National Highway from M.U. gate to Lilong bridge, which requires 150 ft only in width. Unnecessarily government has broaden the road upto 300 ft around. It is an appeal to the concerned authority in the interest of keeping more volume of water for use that the breadth and length of the Hiden be kept at 150 ft and 20 ft respectively.

The water volume of 3000x150x20 cu.ft will definitely feed a population of nearly 15,000 families for a period of three months i.e. March to May. Likewise, Kanglapat may be deepened upto 15 ft for storage of water for the Imphal municipality areas.

6. Lastly, Lamphelpat is still swampy, which means that it is remaining as lake. We may make a big pond/lake here at an area of 2000 ft length and 300 ft breadth along with a depth of 20 ft. This water of six million cu.ft. will definitely feed more than fifty thousand people during the scarcity period.


* P Jadumani Singh wrote this article for The Sangai Express
This article was posted on May 05, 2014.


* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Manipur Statehood Day @ 1st MR : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Mahakumbh : Not just a religious gathering
  • Nepal with largest pictorial health warnings
  • Is war profitable market for arms manufacturer
  • Our CM & party resurrected BJP in Delhi
  • Assamese Play 'Comfort Women'
  • Reading into the resignation reality
  • No stormy session for now
  • Tarao Harvesting Fest @Chandel #6 : Gallery
  • Talheibi, Ningchui, Loyalakpa : eMing
  • 'Vande Bharat' Dream
  • NSS Orientation Programme at MU
  • The influence of the Golden Triangle
  • The Power of Poppy - 68 :: Poem
  • Prasanna Vithanage at Guwahati Film Fest
  • Md Alimuddin, celebrated Sagol Kangjei player
  • Condemnation of Armed Football Match
  • Webinar: KM3NeT Mediterranean experiment
  • Redefining Cancer care: People-centered
  • How thought leadership can propel your career
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #3
  • Guwahati Asian Film Fest : Day 1
  • Of guns and football
  • Armed men playing football, taunting Govt
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Epom Amadei Ithak - A theatrical revisit
  • Economy of the dynamic global landscape
  • Is the Bhagavad Gita relevant today ?
  • Healthy hair in Winter
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival (GAFF) 2025
  • From the battlefields to Delhi
  • Speculations on replacement of Chief Minister
  • 12th Legislative Assembly #2 : Gallery
  • Education & its disjuncture in Manipur
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Fest 2025 : Theme
  • Coo :: Poem
  • Agartala Coach : India U-19 Women Cricket
  • The story of the village of hope
  • Career choice in wetlands
  • CM in Delhi to meet Shah
  • After failed plastic ban bid, on brickfields
  • New catfish species discovered in Chakpi
  • Love, Unsure :: Poem
  • Manipur's border battles: Deeper conflict
  • A world without leprosy
  • Origin of corruption & possible remedies
  • The question of life
  • 'Sereki' unveils Majuli-themed campaign
  • Posers over summons to Delhi
  • Addiction-free campaign
  • Mera Chaorel Houba @Kangla #5 : Gallery
  • Manipur : Champions Jr Natl Sepaktakraw
  • Effective Unified Command approach
  • Saurashtrian Tamils
  • Accepting the change :: Poem
  • From Kumbh to heaven direct
  • Edge of the seat suspense
  • Wetlands revival efforts reaping fruit
  • Natambakta : Play by JNMDA #4 : Gallery
  • EIIFF 2025 unveils Festival Memento
  • Climate change & plant diseases
  • Shija Hospital- AHPI Healthcare Award
  • Budget 2025: A big gift for middle-class
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #2
  • Cakeology 2025: India's largest cake expo
  • Need to stick to a consistent narrative
  • Leniency on tobacco ban aiding demographic
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #2 : Gallery
  • Pheiroijam Christina - 21st Miss North East
  • Manipur: Gold at 28th Jr National Sepaktakraw
  • Clarion call for redeeming our rightful future
  • The Power of Poppy - 67 :: Poem
  • Clean energy for sustainability
  • Union Budget: Industrialists from NE speaks
  • Balaram Sougaijamba: General of Manipur
  • Nikhil Okram crowned 14th Mister North East
  • Chadong village: Rising from waters with hope
  • Financial literacy for common man
  • Obituary: (L) Pu Thangkholen Sitlhou
  • Nail care in Winters
  • State of war since 2023: No winner, only losers
  • Talks on new district row
  • Radio E-pao: 1000+ songs from Manipur
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Kwak Tanba : Gallery
  • February Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • Ballad of Letting Go :: Poem
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Fest
  • Deeper exploration of term 'Hill-Valley Divide'
  • Children's Book to adopt 'Look East Policy'
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Endless suffering of internally displaced child
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #2 : Gallery
  • Thiyam Suryamukhi conferred Padma Shri
  • Isolate Kuki Militants by facilitating safe return
  • Sports Meet held at Rongdai Village
  • Eco-Apocalypse: Prevent collapse with Green
  • Grand Finale : 21st Mega Miss North East
  • Time to give more teeth to ST demand
  • 5 years of ILP; what about NRC demand ?
  • Remembering Md Ladu, celebrated polo player
  • The Lament of Love's Deceit :: Poem
  • Need for inculcating value based education
  • Royte - Times Young Entrepreneur Award
  • Glass Child Syndrome ! 'Sibling rivalry'
  • 6 Films for NE Section at GAFF 2025
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Impartial anti-extortion cell need of the hour
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #1 : Gallery
  • Conservation Strategies of Pethia manipurensis
  • Remembers 13 Brave Indian Soldiers
  • Workshop: Intl Year of Quantum Science
  • Governor's role and discretionary powers
  • Physics workshop for educators at Agartala
  • Who wins Delhi - Daru or Dharma
  • War on Drugs: A war Manipur cannot loses
  • NE turning into transnational drug hub
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #2
  • Manipur's dystopian reality
  • The day Light reached the hills
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal Intl Film Fest 2025
  • Why is depreciation of rupee not stopping ?
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #5
  • Thoithoiba Yelhou Yangkok Artist #2 : Gallery
  • Republic Day Titbits
  • NIT Manipur: Best Design Award @VLSI Design
  • The Power of Poppy - 66 :: Poem
  • Grand Finale: 14th Mega Mister North East
  • Application : FILMART, Hong Kong
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #1
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #1 : Gallery
  • Demographic for balkanisation of Manipur
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation at Nambol
  • Jugeshwor Kshetrimayum receives GELA 2025
  • Construction Committee of Meetei Yumpham
  • Call against misuse of social media
  • Positive & negative aspects of social media
  • In Search of Peace in Manipur
  • Embracing the Shadows :: Poem
  • Dr Manmohan Singh will live on
  • Rise in the price of medicines
  • Respecting the dead- Denying is a disgrace
  • Winter skin care tips for oily skin
  • Illegal immigrants :: Of FMR & border fencing
  • JD-U row exposes national parties' apathy
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #2 : Gallery
  • On 'Only BJP can save Manipur'
  • Frontline health workers dispelling darkness
  • 14th East Himalayan Trade Fair
  • Life is plastic
  • Killers on the road : 834 lives lost
  • Call to action to save State's wetlands
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #1
  • The Taste of Dreams wins @Red Intl Film Fest
  • Science: 3rd eye for Meitei-Kuki reconciliation
  • Northeast flies high in direct selling
  • Mastering focus amidst distractions
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #4
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • BJP : Tepid response from the hills
  • BABINA Hospital sets example in healthcare
  • Nitya Ras @Nongmeibung #1 : Gallery
  • Agonizing reality of our country's veteran elites
  • Historicising the colonial narratives
  • NSS Team Departs for National Integration
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Festival 2025
  • Time to recreate Naga Peoples Convention 2.0
  • Career in nutrition
  • Need to give more meaning to War on Drugs
  • Time for real action not empty rhetoric
  • Foundation: Manipur Press Club #2 : Gallery
  • "Aronba Wari" :: Shumang Leela Synopsis
  • Tripura's livelihoods challenges
  • Archaeological Exhibition @ Kangla : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai @Chaopok village #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur needs to affirm her tribal roots
  • Madras/Chennai- 1989 till 2024 : Gallery
  • Investigate "arms recoveries" in Mizoram
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation
  • NE Direct Selling Conference & Expo
  • Response of Delhi in last 20 months
  • Regulated entry after FMR scrap, border
  • Mutua Bahadur : Preserving Manipuri culture
  • Competitive Altruism: Resolving ethnic conflict
  • Pithe Puli Utsav at Agartala
  • Building the best version of yourself
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival 2025
  • Tips to keep your lips soft & smooth in winter
  • Subsidised flight tickets for all
  • MCPCR alert on child trafficking fear
  • Imoinu Erat Thouni @ Wangkhei : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai celebrating Culture in Delhi NCR
  • The Weeping Gods of Manipur :: Poem
  • Disarming Kuki-Zo armed groups under SoO
  • Why nurses deserve more recognition, pay
  • The hidden truths of our social media lives
  • MMTU stand bang on target: Recapping May 3
  • Enhancing aerial options to ease travel woes
  • 2nd Emoinu Fish Festival #1 : Gallery
  • Sustainable development - climate action #1
  • RIST Talk- 62 : Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • "Technically a BJP MLA will rule Nagaland"
  • Makar Sankranti : vibrant customs & traditions
  • Why gold is a strong hedge but ...
  • Delhi date on January 17
  • Onus of addressing tribal issues on new Guv?
  • Nupilal Ningshing Lamjel #2 : Gallery
  • Licypriya Kangujam: Nat'l Youth Day Award
  • Barak Festival advocates Peace, Progress
  • 'Yu', not fully liberalised
  • Article 355 equals Governor's Rule ?
  • Calls to vote with conscience
  • Zingtun academy leading by example
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #1 : Gallery
  • Is Kuki-Zo community pushing Nagas to edge?
  • Will drive to find-treat-prevent TB continue ?
  • Smart Cities, dustier roads ?
  • ST of NE & Dalits of mainland India
  • That May :: Poem
  • Understanding Red, Yellow, Green
  • Cong posers on Govt aid to SoO group
  • Culturals @Tri-Nation Football #1 : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai festival of Kabui/Rongmei
  • Hingminashi Eikhoi : Call for unity in diversity
  • Gangtok, Sikkim (1983 till 1988) : Gallery
  • Misna Chanu aids to Jiribam IDPs : Gallery
  • Mega Protest Rally, end AFSPA #2: Gallery
  • Ningol Chakkouba @ Delhi #3 : Gallery
  • AIR Radio Imphal Station - Live streaming
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #2 : Gallery
  • The historical account of Kabaw Valley #3
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2024 #6: Gallery
  • E-Pao.net : 25th Anniv & 2025 Wishes
  • Protest @Delhi - Murder of Meiteis #2: Gallery
  • "Connections", art exhibitt @ DC : Gallery
  • Observance of Thang-Ta Day #1 : Gallery
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #1 : Gallery
  • Meitei Mayek Tamba : Online Classroom #5
  • Indigenous People Cultural Fest #1 : Gallery
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Mera Houchongba: Gallery
  • Ta Ta TabuHtoN :: Seireng
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025
  • GHOST of PEACE :: Download Booklet